scapolite

[skap-uh-lahyt]

noun

1. any of a group of minerals of variable composition, essentially silicates of aluminum, calcium, and sodium, occurring as massive aggregates or tetragonal crystals.

2. the member of the scapolite group intermediate in composition between meionite and marialite; wernerite.

scapolite

/ ˈskæpəˌlaɪt /

noun

1. Also called: wernerite. any of a group of colourless, white, grey, or violet fluorescent minerals consisting of sodium or calcium aluminium silicate, carbonate, and chloride in tetragonal crystalline form. They occur mainly in impure limestones and pegmatites

Word History and Origins

Origin of scapolite¹

From the German word Skapolith, dating back to 1795–1805. See scape ¹, -o-, -lite

Word History and Origins

Origin of scapolite¹

C19: from German Skapolith, from Greek skapos rod + _-lite

Example Sentences

The purer beds recrystallize as marbles, but where there has been originally an admixture of sand or clay lime-bearing silicates are formed, such as diopside, epidote, garnet, sphene, vesuvianite, scapolite; with these phlogopite, various felspars, pyrites, quartz and actinolite often occur.

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Wer′nerite, a variety of scapolite.

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Scapolite, skap′ō-līt, n. a silicate of alumina and lime, occurring in long rod-like crystals.

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Gabb′ronite, a compact variety of scapolite, resembling gabbro.

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Hypersthene and scapolite both may occur in these rocks and they are sometimes garnetiferous.

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